411’s UFC Fight Night 81 Report 1.17.16 – Cruz Wins

Champion T.J. Dillashaw (135 lbs.) vs. #1 Dominick Cruz (135 lbs.) – for bantamweight title
#4 Eddie Alvarez (155 lbs.) vs. #1 Anthony Pettis (155.5 lbs.)
#6 Travis Browne (238 lbs.) vs. #14 Matt Mitrione (249 lbs.)
Ross Pearson (155 lbs.) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (155.5 lbs.)
Patrick Cote (171 lbs.) vs. Ben Saunders (170 lbs.)
Mehdi Baghdad (156 lbs.) vs. Chris Wade (155.5 lbs.)
Tim Boetsch (206 lbs.) vs. Ed Herman (205.5 lbs.)
Maximo Blanco (146 lbs.) vs. Luke Sanders (145.5 lbs.)
Daron Cruickshank (155 lbs.) vs. Paul Felder (155.5 lbs.)
Ilir Latifi (205 lbs.) vs. Sean O’Connell (205.5 lbs.)
Kyle Bochniak (145 lbs.) vs. Charles Rosa (145 lbs.)
Rob Font (135 lbs.) vs. Joey Gomez (135 lbs.)
Francimar Barroso (205 lbs.) vs. Elvis Mutapcic (201 lbs.)

Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz. I’m Robert Winfree, your host for the evening as I’ll be relaying to you all of the action just as I see it. We’ve got a solid card here with a title fight between two incredible technicians as bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw tries to defend his belt for a third time against the former champion Dominick Cruz who never actually lost the title. Injuries forced the UFC to strip Cruz of the bantamweight title but at the moment he’s healthy and ready to try and reclaim the gold. The co-main event is solid too as former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis tries to earn his way back into title contention against former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Sadly one the fights I was personally looking forward too got lost due to injury, I really wanted to see Beneil Dariush fight Mairbek Taisumov but Dariush got injured then a few days ago word broke that Taisumov is apparently having Visa issues. Oh well, as long as nothing else falls apart before fight time we should all just count ourselves lucky. Tonight’s event comes to the world from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan are on commentary tonight.

This is one of many fights that got changed around recently, Elvis Mutapcic is a late notice replacement here but has a solid record and is 4-1 in his last five with a two fight winning streak coming into his UFC debut tonight and a win over Barroso would be a great way to kick off a UFC run. Francimar Barroso is 2-1 in the UFC and coming off of a decision win over Ryan Jimmo and looking to get a UFC winning streak going with a win tonight.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Francimar Barroso (17-4, 205 lbs.) vs. Elvis Mutapcic (15-3, 201 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Barroso has three inches of reach on Mutapcic. Barroso lands a right to get us going, Mutapcic just misses a counter. Both men miss body kicks. Barroso lands a jab. Barroso lands a body kick then a right. Barroso lands a body kick from the southpaw stance. Lots of one and done from both guys, they’re loading up and looking to get it done with one blow. Barroso misses a right but transitions to a double leg and lands in the guard of Mutapcic. Mutapcic lands some elbows from the bottom, Barroso returns the favor. Mutapcic now trying to tie up Barroso. A few more elbows from both guys. Round ends with Barroso on top.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barroso

ROUND TWO: Barroso opens up with an inside leg kick. Barroso lands a right, Mutapcic lands a better one to counter. Barroso lands a body kick. Barroso lands a leg kick. Barroso lands a knee to the body. Barroso lands a bit of a left. Really sedate pace to this one. Barroso lands a left shovel punch. Mutapcic goes southpaw, Barroso lands a couple of leg kicks. Mutapcic has some forward motion here, he’s doing very little though. Barroso lands another left. Mutapcic lands a body kick, Barroso lands a counter right. Mutapcic has a cut around the right eye brow. Body kick from Barroso. Barroso lands a wild overhand right. Barroso lands a right then Mutapcic stuffs a takedown. Mutapcic lands a body kick then they stare away the final fifteen seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barroso, 20-18 Barroso overall

ROUND THREE: Circling to start the final round. Mutapcic lands a body kick. Barroso lands a right. Barroso lands a stepping elbow. Barroso lands a couple of jabs and a leg kick. Barroso fails on a takedown attempt and they clinch then break. Mutapcic lands a knee to the body then a right, he’s still pushing forward. Barroso lands an inside leg kick. Mutapcic lands a left. Barroso misses a double leg, his offense is getting sloppier and missing a lot more this round. Mutapcic lands a left to the body. Barroso is mostly coasting here, lands a right though. Barroso lands a body kick then a right. Barroso lands a bit of a left. Mutapcic lands a body kick but they clinch and Barroso gets him on the fence. Mutapcic spins free and they trade as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Mutapcic, 29-28 Barroso overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Francimar Barros via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)

Well, that was-

Yes Mr. Sherman it certainly did. Nice to see you again by the way. No interview for Barroso.

Rob Font is riding a ten fight winning streak including a knockout win over George Roop in his UFC debut, tonight he looks to keep that momentum going with a second consecutive UFC win. Joey Gomez is unbeaten as a professional fighter with all six of his wins being by (T)KO and a win in his UFC debut in similar fashion would be a great way to get his UFC career going.

Bantamweight Bout: Rob Font (11-1, 135 lbs.) vs. Joey Gomez (6-0, 135 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Circling to start. Font lands a front kick to the body. Gomez misses a one two combination. Jabs traded, Font lands a leg kick. Gomez lands a bit of a left, then misses a follow up left hook. Font lands a front kick to the body again. Font ducks a punch and gets a takedown, Gomez quickly scrambles to his feet and they’re in the clinch. Font still working for the takedown, finally gets Gomez down against the fence. Gomez back up again, Font lands a right as they break. Font lands a jab, he’s a lot more fluid than Gomez is right now. Font lands a combination. Font lands a right then a left hook. Font lands a stiff right then tries for a takedown, Gomez back up immediately and lands a right in the clinch. They jokey in the clinch then separate. Gomez lands a jab. Font lands a right then a spinning elbow that lands to the forehead of Gomez. Jabs traded as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Font

ROUND TWO: Font circles and lands a right, Gomez might be getting a little winded as he took the fight on short notice. Font lands a couple of body kicks then a leg kick. Font lands a weak hook kick. Font’s movement is starting to open up angles on Gomez. Font lands a right, left, then a right uppercut. Font lands a side kick to the body. Font lands a looping left. Gomez misses a right. Gomez lands a spinning body kick. Font sneaks a left through the guard of Gomez. Font lands a left flush that hurt Gomez, he lands a couple of rights to the body. Font starting to tee off, Gomez able to change levels and get a takedown into the guard of Font. Gomez lands a knee as Font scrambles to his feet. Font back on the offense quickly, working combinations. Font lands an uppercut and a left, he starts flurrying along the fence, Gomez falls to his butt and the ref stops this one.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Rob Font via TKO, strikes, at 4:13 of Round 2

Well that was a really nice fight, especially after the first one. Mic time for Font. He says that last time he mentioned UFC jitters were a lie and still feels that way. He wishes a happy birthday to one of his coaches then says he can’t remember the finish but he heard his coaches tell him to go for the finish so he went for it, then sends love to his mother to close the interview.

Charles Rosa is 1-2 in the UFC, though he got Cluckied in his last fight, and is after his second UFC win. It’s worth noting that this is Rosa’s third opponent, it was supposed to be Jimy Hettes then Augusto Mendes. Kyle Bochniak is unbeaten as a professional fighter and is making his debut on very short notice here, just a couple of days, and a big win in his debut on short notice would get his UFC career off to a great start.

Featherweight Bout: Kyle Bochniak (6-0, 145 lbs.) vs. Charles Rosa (10-2, 145 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Rosa has two inches of height on Bochniak. Rosa opens up southpaw with a couple of side kicks to the body. Bochniak pushing forward, lands a right hand. Rosa switching his stance frequently, eats a right from Bochniak. Leg kicks traded, Bochniak got the better of those. Rosa doing a lot of circling here. Rosa lands a body kick but his hands are low when he’s throwing those and Bochniak is starting to get the counters going. Rosa lands a left kick to the body. Bochniak lands another counter right to the side kick. Rosa lands a left, Bochniak lands another right. Bochniak has some swelling around the right eye, nothing major yet. Rosa lands another left kick to the body. Bochniak lands a nice counter right that drops Rosa. Bochniak on top, Rosa tries to set up a leg lock and Bochniak rolls out then makes Rosa stand back up. Bochniak lands a body kick, Rosa tries a takedown but Bochniak avoids it. Rosa moving forward now. Bochniak lands a short left, Rosa tries a single leg and gets Bochniak down but can’t control him and Bochniak back up. Rosa lands a leg kick and just avoids a counter right to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bochniak

ROUND TWO: Bochniak misses a right, Rosa showing the kicks a lot. Rosa lands a heavy leg kick. Rosa lands another leg kick. Bochniak lands a right, eats a counter from Rosa. Rosa lands another leg kick, Bochniak’s lead leg is starting to turn red. Rosa lands a right that puts Bochniak on a knee for a moment. Bochniak eats a hard leg kick, lands one of his own. Rosa lands a right to the ear of Bochniak. Rosa shoots a double leg, stuffed by Bosnaik and they trade knees then break with a right from Bochniak. Rosa lands another left kick to the body. Rosa lands a left. Rosa lands a body kick. Bochniak is slowing down a little, those body kicks combined with this being a short notice fight. Rosa lands a leg kick. Rosa lands a left then avoids the counter. Rosa tries another double leg, can’t control Bochniak. Bochniak back up, Rosa sweeps a leg out and gets on top against the fence. Rosa in side control, lands a few punches before Bochniak kicks him off and regains his feet. Bochniak times a double leg and gets Rosa down. Rosa quickly throws up a triangle attempt, rolls to his feet and eats a knee from Bochniak then they trade to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Rosa, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the final round, Rosa then lands a leg kick. Rosa lands another leg kick, Bochniak lands a bit of a counter right hook. Rosa pushing forward now, Bochniak fires some punches in return. Bochniak trying to counter now, Rosa lands another leg kick. Rights traded then Rosa lands a leg kick. Bochniak is bleeding from the nose. Rosa lands another leg kick then a stepping right hand. Rosa grabs a single leg attempt, Bochniak limp legs out of it. Rosa lands a short left. Bochniak lands a right, then another one. Rosa might be hurt, Bochniak lands a knee. Rosa comes back with a hard right then a leg kick. Rosa lands a flurry against the fence then tries for a takedown. Bochniak avoids the single leg again. Both guys tired here, still fighting hard though. Rosa stuffs a takedown from Bochniak. Bochniak lands a right, Rosa responds with a combination and a knee to the body. Rosa grabs a guillotine as Bochniak moved in. Rosa using the grip to control Bochniak, Rosa lands a knee to the body then they break. They swing wild to close the fight.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Rosa, 29-28 Rosa overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Wait, somebody gave Rosa the round when he got dropped? No interview for Rosa, likely time related.

Ilir Latifi is 3-2 in the UFC and coming off of a win over Hans Stringer and a second consecutive win could help build some momentum for him in 2016. Sean O’Connell is 2-2 in the UFC but is riding a two fight winning streak, both TKO wins, and a third consecutive win would move O’Connell from just another rank and file fighter to someone worth taking note of.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Ilir Latifi (10-4 1 NC, 205 lbs.) vs. Sean O’Connell (17-6, 205.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: O’Connell has three inches of height on Latifi but just half an inch of reach. Touch of gloves to get us going. O’Connell moving forward early, Latifi circling. O’Connell lands a right, Latifi lands a hard right and O’Connell goes wobbly, a second one lands as O’Connell was falling, a couple more from Latifi and this one is over.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Ilir Latifi via KO, punches, at :30 of Round 1

Well at least it was fast. Latifi gets an interview now. He says fighter safety is the most important thing so he’s fine with the stoppage, he’s happy there’s no injury. He talks us through the finish, he says he pounced because some fighters come back quickly. He says he wants to main event the UFC’s next event in Sweden then dedicates the win to a friend back home who’s fighting cancer.

Paul Felder is 2-2 in the UFC and riding a two fight losing streak, tonight he’s looking to break that skid and capitalize on some of the potential he’s shown in the UFC. Daron Cruickshank is on an even worse skid being 0-2 with 1 No Contest in his last three fights, if he’s going to avoid possibly getting cut he desperately needs a win here.

Lightweight Bout: Daron Cruickshank (16-7 1 NC, 155 lbs.) vs. Paul Felder (10-2, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Felder has three inches of height on Cruickshank, but Cruickshank has an inch and a half of reach on him. Touch of gloves to get us going. Felder moving forward early, Cruickshank circling. Felder lands a hard leg kick. Cruickshank lands a body kick. Felder lands a right hand. Cruickshank lands a spinning back kick, Felder lands a hard leg kick. Felder’s pressure is constant, he lands a left kick to the body. Cruickshank lands a front leg side kick to the face, Felder responds with a leg kick and a left hook. Felder pushes into the clinch and gets Cruickshank on the fence. Cruickshank spins Felder and lands a quick combination including a high kick. Cruickshank looking for a takedown against the fence, Felder lands a couple of elbows. Felder looking for a guillotine, he jumps for it, it’s tight but his grip slips and Cruickshank lands on top. Cruickshank dodged in half guard, Felder back up quickly still in the clinch. Felder spins Cruickshank and lands an elbow. Cruickshank has swelling around the left eye, Felder lands a couple of knees to the body then they break. Felder gets a takedown, Cruickshank able to roll him and get on top in the guard of Felder. Felder throws up a triangle attempt as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Felder

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Felder resumes moving forward, lands an inside leg kick. Cruickshank lands a side kick to the body. Felder just misses a high kick. Cuickshank slips after spinning, he tries for a double leg that stalls out on the fence. Felder with some elbows while defending, Cruickshank just holding onto the leg now. Felder spins him and gets a double leg against the fence. Felder in a loose guard, lands a right then passes to half guard. Cruickshank back to full guard but eats an elbow for his troubles. Felder back to half guard almost immediately and lands a couple of elbows. Cruickshank back up and lands a side kick to the face, he flurries, Felder fires back, Cruickshank lands a spinning elbow then tries a single leg that Felder defends. Felder setting up an inverted triangle choke while he’s sitting on Cruickshank’s head. Felder trying to lock that up, he’s going for it. That’s a pretty tight choke, Cruickshank just hanging out on his knees. Felder bails on it and regains his feet. Cruickshank holding onto a single leg against the fence, Cruickshank able to get the takedown as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cruickshank, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: They touch gloves for the final round. Felder stalking forward and lands a hard leg kick. Felder misses a spinning back fist and they clinch, Felder has Cruickshank on the fence. Felder lands an elbow in close. Felder lands a knee to the body then an elbow. Felder with some more knees to the body. Cruickshank tries a single leg, Felder out of this one and tries to set up a choke while Cruickshank is on his knees. Felder lands some punches from the ride position, Cruickshank back up but Felder has the rear waist lock. Felder drags Cruickshank down again. Cruickshank back up but eats some short rights as he does so. Felder drops for a takedown and gets Cruickshank down. Cruickshank closes his guard, Felder works some elbows to the head. Cuickshank to his knees, Felder gets the back with both hooks in and looks for the choke. Cruickshank stands but Felder is under the chin, Cruickshank drops and then taps out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Paul Felder via Submission, rear naked choke, at 3:56 of Round 3

That’s actually Felder’s first submission win, and a fun fight to cap the Fight Pass prelims. Mic time for Felder now. He says the win feels great, while he lost his last two those were to top shelf talent and he knows he could be in there with them. He says this was a tough fight, then says the only thing going through his mind in the last round was “finish”. He talks us through the finish to close the interview.

That’s it for Fight Pass, we’re on Fox Sports 1 for the rest of the night.

Maximo Blanco has a three fight winning streak going coming into tonight’s event, he was supposed to face Dennis Bermudez here but injury in December forced Bermudez out and now he’s looking to get four in a row against promotional newcomer Sanders. Luke Sanders is unbeaten as a professional and while he had more notice than a lot of fighters for this event it’s still a short notice debut, and a win over the veteran Blanco would be the biggest win of his career.

Featherweight Bout: Maximo Blanco (12-6-1 1 NC, 146 lbs.) vs. Luke Sanders (10-0, 145.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Blanco has two inches of height and four of reach on Sanders. It’s worth noting Sanders normally fights at bantamweight. Both men fighting southpaw, Blanco goes back to orthodox. Blanco lands a straight right. Sanders ducks a kick and lands a left. Blanco lands a leg kick then jabs the body. They clinch after missing wild hooks, then break without incident. Blanco lands another leg kick. Blanco lands a body kick, Sanders lands a left. Sanders lands a right after Blanco missed a knee. Sanders lands a leg kick, then another one. Blanco starting to push forward, lands a leg kick. They clinch, Sanders lands a couple of knees before they break. Blanco lands a leg kick but Sanders cracks him with a left. They scramble, Blanco grabs an arm triangle after a scramble and he’s going for it. Blanco bails on the choke as Sanders got to half guard, Sanders scrambles up but eats a knee as he does. Sanders lands a leg kick. Sanders lands another left then a right. Blanco’s lack of defense bites him again and Sanders cloors him with a left hook. Blanco tries to recover, Sanders grabs a rear naked choke as they scramble and Blanco has to tap.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Luke Sanders via Submission, rear naked choke, at 3:38 of Round 1

Sanders gets an interview, great fight to kick off Fox Sports 1 prelims. He says getting the call from the UFC was great and he’s willing to fight. He says he’s got room to grow and will do better, he’s hoping for a post fight bonus, he says he’s a poor guy and that a bonus would change his life. He says the arm triangle from Blanco was tight but he wasn’t going to give up as long as he felt he could escape so he kept fighting for it.

This fight was supposed to be Beneil Dariush and Mairbek Taisumov, injuries and visa issues bring us to what we have now. Chris Wade has a five fight winning streak going including being 3-0 in the UFC, a fourth consecutive win is hard to do in the lightweight division and if he can do that he’ll be knocking on the door of the rankings. Mehdi Baghdad took this fight less than a week ago but has a seven fight winning streak going coming into his UFC debut and unseating the streaking Wade would be a big statement to the rest of the division.

Lightweight Bout: Mehdi Baghdad (11-3, 156 lbs.) vs. Chris Wade (10-1, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Baghdad has three inches of height and reach on Wade. Wade dives into a double leg, transitions to a body throw and lands in the guard of Baghdad. Wade lands an elbow, Baghdad looking to just tie him up so far. Wade lands a short elbow, Baghdad’s defense is holding up well so far though. Wade lands a right. Wade lands a couple of elbows. Wade working some more punches. Baghdad tries to kick Wade off, gets to his knees but Wade has the ride position now against the fence. Wade drags Baghdad back down, he’s got one hook in from the back. Wade trying to go for the choke, gets both hooks in and flattens out Baghdad. Wade gets the arm under the chin and Baghdad taps out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Chris Wade via Submission, rear naked choke, at 4:30 of Round 1

Well we’re on a roll, the First Round Finish Club has been busy. Mic time for Wade. He says that with the news of the late replacement his plan wasn’t to focus on Baghdad but on his own game. He says he’s been working on top position a lot and once he had the back he knew it was just a matter of time before he got the choke.

Both Boetsch and Herman have spent their recent careers at middleweight but with the ban on IV’s they’re moving up to light heavyweight. Tim Boetsch is 1-3 in his last four fights, riding a two fight losing streak, and is coming off of a first round KO loss to Dan Henderson. If Boetsch wants to justify his spot on the roster a win here is important if not critical. Ed Herman is also 1-3 in his last four with a two fight losing streak and the long time UFC veteran needs a win to remain relevant as he moves up in weight.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Tim Boetsch (18-9, 206 lbs.) vs. Ed Herman (22-11 1 NC, 205.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Herman has three inches of reach on Boetsch. Circling to start, both men miss rights. Herman lands a jab. Boetsch lands a right, Herman lands a leg kick. Boetsch lands a leg kick but Herman lands a looping right to counter. Boetsch lands the windmill right that wobbles Herman a little. Herman lands a right of his own when Boetsch tries to close distance. Boetsch lands an inside leg kick, Herman lands a leg kick. Herman lands a jab. Boetsch lands a bit of a right. Boetsch lands a left to the body. They clinch, Boetsch gets a knee to the chin of Herman, then they break. Boetsch lands a couple of short rights in close. They clinch again and trade some knees and uppercuts before breaking. Boetsch lands a left. The striking technique here is, well, rudimentary is probably the kindest way to say it. Boetsch lands a bit of a leg kick. Both men land rights. Herman lands a left, they clinch and trade knees to the body. Boetsch gets Herman on the fance, Herman lands a couple of short elbows before they break, then circle away the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Boetsch

ROUND TWO: They both miss rights to start the second. Boetsch lands a front kick to the body. Jabs traded. Herman lands a right after eating a leg kick and Herman pushes into the clinch. They trade some uppercuts in close, Herman lands a knee to the head that drops Boetsch, a few more punches just to solidify it and the ref ends this one.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Ed Herman via TKO, knee, at 1:39 of Round 2

Well at least it’s over, as is the streak of good fights. Herman gets an interview. He says he’s worked hard for this fight, thanks the fans in the arena as well. He thinks his clinch game is strong and he felt the knee earlier in the fight, he says he’s staying at light heavyweight and apparently woke up on weight. He says that with the UFC being cleaned up he’s happy to finally be on a level playing field because he’s been a clean fighter his entire career.

To kill time we get a replay of the Latifi and O’Connell fight, the pacing of this event has been awkward so far with lots of down time.

Patrick Cote is 5-1 in his last six with that lone loss being to top ranked Stephen Thompson and has won his last two, a third consecutive win would move him closer to contention and would give him an impressive recent record. Ben Saunders is 3-0 in his current UFC run and getting a fourth here against Cote would move him closer to cracking the top fifteen rankings of the division.

Welterweight Bout: Patrick Cote (22-9, 171 lbs.) vs. Ben Saunders (19-6-2, 170 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Saunders has three inches of height but a monster six and a half inch reach advantage. Touch of gloves to get us going, Saunders fighting southpaw. Saunders backing up Cote so far, working some rear leg front kicks to the body. Cote lands a leg kick. Both guys struggling with the rage, their offense is falling short. They clinch, trade knees to the body, then break. Cote lands an inside leg kick. Saunders lands a body kick. Cote lands a leg kick. Saunders hits a trip from the clinch and Cote works to full guard quickly. Saunders with some lefts to the body, Cote trying to tie him up. More lefts to the body and head from Saunders. Cote throws up an armbar, it gets close but Saunders gets free and Cote scrambles to top position. Saunders tries to wrap up rubber guard, Cote pulls out of that and moves to half guard. Cote with some rights, Saunders to rubber guard again and again Cote escapes it. Cote lands a couple of rights. Cote ends the round on top.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cote

ROUND TWO: Cote lands an inside leg kick, Saunders lands a body kick. Saunders lands another body kick. Cote lands a body kick of his own. Saunders lands another body kick. Cote lands a couple of punches in close then they start trading in the clinch, Saunders tries knees but Cote overwhelms him with uppercuts, Saunders drops and Cote pounds him out with hammer fists.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Patrick Cote via TKO, punches, at 1:14 of Round 2

Interview time for Cote. Joe Rogan puts him over before letting him talk. Cote says he was aware of Saunders’ guard and worked to get past it, he says that this win brought him to 10-9 in the UFC and he’s happy to have a winning UFC record finally. He mentions his improving grappling game, speaks french for his fans in Quebec to close out his mic time.

To fill air time before the main card we get a replay of the fight between Rob Font and Joey Gomez. Good choice for the replay there. That also wraps up the prelims, we’re still on Fox Sports 1 but now the main card starts.

Ross Pearson has been trading wins and losses going 3-3 in his last six but is coming off of a win over Paul Felder and a win here would give him his first win streak in the UFC in a little over two years. Francisco Trinaldo has a four fight winning streak going and stopped Chad Laprise with strikes last time, a win over Pearson here would set him up for a run towards the top fifteen of the division as five in a row at lightweight is darn impressive.

Lightweight Bout: Ross Pearson (18-9 1 NC, 155 lbs.) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (18-4, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Trinaldo fighting southpaw, they touch gloves to get us going. Lots of circling and probing with jabs early. Pearson lands an outside leg kick. Pearson tries a high kick that’s blocked. Trinaldo circling a lot, Pearson trying to walk him down. Pearson lands a jab, they trade body kicks. Trinaldo lands a straight left. Trinaldo misses a high kick. Trinaldo lands a body kick. Trinaldo misses another high kick. Pearson lands a body kick. Trinaldo trying to land a one shot counter, Pearson mindful of the power of Trinaldo. Trinaldo lands a knee to the body. Trinaldo lands a knee to the head, Pearson is ducking into those. Both men miss high kicks. Trinaldo has a high kick blocked. Pearson lands a body kick. Trinaldo lands a left and a high kick. Pearson got stunned there, Trinaldo hits a high elevation slam as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Trinaldo

ROUND TWO: Trinaldo started to get the timing of Pearson towards the end of the first round. Pearson resumes moving forward to start the second. Trinaldo lands a left in close. Trinaldo tries another high kick that’s blocked but that kick has power. Pearson lands a body kick. Trinaldo tries a high knee that’s caught by Pearson who gets a takedown into the guard of Trinaldo. Pearson lands a right as Trinaldo scrambles to his feet. Pearson tries a wheel kick that misses. Trinaldo lands a combination and a jumping knee. Trinaldo has Pearson on the fence and lands another knee to the head whent hey break. Pearson lands an uppercut as Trinaldo gets the clinch again. Trinaldo with some knees to the thigh. They break without incident. Trinaldo lands another body kick. Trinaldo lands a body kick. Pearson’s offensive output has slowed. Trinaldo tries another high kick that’s just blocked by Pearson. Trinaldo lands a left that stuns Pearson. Pearson lands a left hook. Pearson misses a kick then Trinaldo lands a leg kick and they clinch as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Trinaldo, 20-18 Trinaldo overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Pearson tries a high kick that’s blocked. Trinaldo clips Pearson with a right and tries to flurry on the fence, Pearson fights back but Trinaldo lands an elbow as Pearson circles out of the clinch. Pearson moving forward again, Trinaldo content to land counters. Pearson has a cut around the left eyebrow, it’s not bad but worth noting. Pearson tries a high kick that’s blocked but that had some force behind it. Trinaldo lands a high kick, Pearson caught it and gets a takedown but that landed. Trinaldo tries to get a leg lock from guard, Pearson avoids it and stands. Pearson can’t keep Trinaldo down, Trinaldo back up. Trinaldo lands a left, Pearson lands a right to the body. Trinaldo lands an inside leg kick. Pearson’s offense is just moving forward, he’s not throwing a whole lot. Pearson lands an inside leg kick. Trinaldo lands a knee to the chest. Trinaldo gets the clinch, Pearson pushes him into the fence. Trinaldo lands a knee to the head as they disengage. Trinaldo lands a right. Pearson has a high kick blocked as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Trinaldo, 30-27 Trinaldo overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Francisco Trinaldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)

No interview for Trinaldo, but Pearson just had no offense that fight.

Despite a top ten ranking Travis Browne is just 2-2 in his last four fights and is coming off of a first round loss to Andrei Arlovski and needs a rebound win here to justify his top spot. Matt Mitrione is coming off of a loss to Ben Rothwell but had won three in a row before that and a win over the top ranked Browne would certainly vault Mitrione up the rankings and give him bigger opportunities in the future.

Heavyweight Bout: #6 Travis Browne (17-3-1, 238 lbs.) vs. #14 Matt Mitrione (9-4, 249 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Browne has three inches of height on Mitrione but their reach is identical. Mitrione fighting southpaw. Lots of feinting early, Browne misses a body kick. Mitrione lands a left. Browne lands a right to counter a leg kick. Lots of circling and feinting, little action. Browne lands a body kick. Browne has a high kick blocked. Neither guy wants to make an error, so there’s not a lot going on. Browne lands a knee to the body, Mitrion lands a quick combination in close. Both men land front kicks to the body. Mitrione lands a right after jumping forward, Browne lands a rear leg front kick to the body. Mitrione tags Browne, Browne drops to a knee for a moment but he got wobbled for a moment there. Browne lands a right and another front kick to the body. Mitrione lands a left but got poked in the eye with ten seconds in the round. Mitrione gets time to recover. That was a bad one, Browne’s pinky went into the eye and the doctor is in to check on him now. The doc says he’s OK, Mitrione seems to have recovered and we’re back. They circle the final seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Mitrione

ROUND TWO: Mitrione comes out with a combination that’s blocked. Mitrione lands an outside leg kick. Mitrione lands a left that wobbled Browne, Mitrione may have been poked again but there’s no time for him. Mitrione has his right eye closed, trying to recover as they fight. Rogan confirms it was a thumb to the eye from Browne and we get time for Mitrione to recover now. The doctor is in to check on Mitrione’s eye again, same eye from before. Mitrione says he can still fight and the doctor has no issue with it. No point deducted from Browne, I would have taken one personally. They touch gloves as we resume fighting. Browne lands a kick to the body. Browne lands a knee to the body, Mitrione lands a couple of leg kicks. Mitrione lands a right. Browne misses a high kick, Mitrione lands a left. Browne lands a knee to the head then trips Mitrione down and lands in side control. Mitrione to his knees, Browne moves to the ride position as Mitrione regains his feet and they break. Browne lands a few body kicks. Mitrione lands a body kick. Browne lands another body kick and a knee to the body. They circle the final seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Browne, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: They touch gloves for the final round. Browne lands another body kick. Mitrione lands a leg kick. Mitrione moving forward but his offense is muted here. Mitrione lands a left. Browne lands a straight right that stuns Mitrione. Mitrione lands a jab, his right eye is starting to swell. They clinch, Mitrione lands a couple of body shots and Browne gets a rear waist lock then elevates and slams Mitrion. Browne on top in full mount now, lands a hard elbow. Browne postures and lands some punches, Mitrione covering up and trying to move. Browne lands an elbow. Browne lands another elbow, Mitrione has no answer for the mount but Browne doesn’t have the energy to really unload. Some more punches from Browne, and while they’re not very hard the ref decides no one wants to see more of this.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Travis Browne via TKO, punches, at 4:09 of Round 3

That was a heavyweight fight that went past the first few minutes, it went rather badly after that. Mitrione’s right eye has swollen badly, that right from Browne is what started it. Crowd boos, no interview for Browne.

Here’s an image of Mitrione’s eye if you’re interested.

OH MY GAWD #UFCBoston pic.twitter.com/LO6wYOtgay

— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) January 18, 2016

To kill time, like this show needs it, they announce that the coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter will be strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha. Jedrzejczyk is with Rogan to talk about this, she’s taking the company line by saying she’s happy to be on TUF and wants to bring something new to the show. They announce that title fight will main event the TUF finale the night before UFC 200. They better have something spectacular for the main card of 200 to keep a title fight off of it.

Eddie Alvarez is 1-1 in the UFC but has widely been considered a top lightweight in the world for a few years now, he’s coming off of a win over Gilbert Melendez and a win here over the former champion Pettis would almost mandate that Alvarez get a title shot sooner rather than later. Anthony Pettis is coming off of the loss of the lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos but had won five fights in a row before that and if he wants to get another shot at wearing the lightweight title he needs to win here and avoid a two fight losing streak.

Lightweight Bout: #4 Eddie Alvarez (26-4, 155 lbs.) vs. #1 Anthony Pettis (18-3, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Pettis has three and a half inches of reach on Alvarez. Pettis comes out southpaw. Alvarez misses a body kick. Alvarez lands an inside leg kick, Pettis lands a straight left. Alvarez tries a double leg, Pettis sitting on the fence now looking to wall walk. Alvarez lands a couple of lefts as Pettis gets up, Alvarez keeps the clinch. Alvarez still after the takedown, Pettis defending and landing some body shots. Pettis can’t get out of the clinch but Alvarez can’t get him down. Alvarez gets an inside trip, Pettis right back up. Alvarez trying for a takedown, Pettis spins out of the clinch and lands a knee to the body then separates. Pettis tries a high kick that’s blocked. Pettis tries a wheel kick but Alvarez was too close and gets a takedown. Pettis back up, and back down, then back up again. They separate without incident. Pettis lands a heavy body kick. Alvarez lands a body kick. Pettis lands another body kick. Alvarez into the clinch, Pettis lands a knee to the body and they break. Alvarez misses a high kick to end the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pettis

ROUND TWO: Alvarez blocks a high kick, Pettis just misses a high kick. Alvarez lands a body kick. Alvarez lands a right hand, Pettis circling looking for openings. Alvarez lands a short right. Alvarez pushes into a takedown against the fence, Pettis avoids the takedown. Pettis lands a knee as they break. Pettis lands a straight left. Pettis lands a body kick. Alvarez trying to walk Pettis down, Pettis lands a leg kick. Alvarez lands a leg kick. Pettis lands another leg kick then avoids a takedown but is stuck in the clinch again. Pettis thinks about a guillotine, decides against it. Pettis lands a left as they break. Pettis lands a right after switching to the orthodox stance. Pettis lands another body kick. Hard one two from Pettis. Alvarez reaches for a takedown, Pettis stuffs it and lands a knee to the body. Alvarez lands an inside leg kick. Pettis starting to find the range with his punches, leg kicks traded. Body kicks exchanged. Alvarez has one more stuffed takedown to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pettis, 20-18 Pettis overall

ROUND THREE: Leg kicks traded early. Body kicks traded now, Pettis lands a couple of more and Alvarez pushes him into the fence yet again. Pettis escapes the clinch. Alvarez lands a body kick but eats a right. Pettis lands a couple of rights, Alvarez is hurt. Pettis trying to hunt him down, lands a leg kick. Alvarez bleeding now, shoots for another double leg and gets Pettis down this time. Pettis tries to use a leg lock to sweep, he’s going for a heel hook but Alvarez has too much bend in the knee and passes to half guard. Pettis tries to explode out, gets to his feet but can’t break free. Alvarez hits another trip and lands in the guard of Pettis. Pettis back up again but still stuck against the fence. Alvarez tries another trip, Pettis keeps his balance this time. Alvarez sucks the legs out from under Pettis and gets him to sit on the fence. Pettis back up again, Alvarez still in the clinch. Pettis lands a left as he finally gets Alvarez off of him. Pettis lands a body kick, both men are visibly tired. They trade again as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Alvarez, 29-28 Alvarez overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Eddie Alvarez via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

Well I’d like to Clucky that, but judges have such a long history of over valuing holding a guy on the fence that I shouldn’t be surprised. Mic time for Alvarez, loud boos coming from the crowd, he thanks God first and foremost. He says nothing really surprised him about Pettis because he had a game plan then says he wants a title fight next.

Dominick Cruz was the first ever UFC bantamweight champion and never lost the title, it was stripped from him because of injuries but holds UFC wins over Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson plus he’s coming off of a devastating win over Takeya Mizugaki. Unfortunately Cruz has only fought once in the past four years, tonight he has a chance to reclaim the title he never lost by unseating the current champion. TJ Dillashaw has two successful defenses of the bantamweight title to his name, stoppage wins over Joe Soto and Renan Barao in his last two fights and a win over Cruz would be huge for his career and help cement his growing legacy as bantamweight champion.

UFC Bantamweight Title Bout: (c) T.J. Dillashaw (12-2, 135 lbs.) vs. #1 Dominick Cruz (20-1, 135 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Cruz circling early, lands an inside leg kick. Dillashaw switching his stance, trying to use his kicks. Cruz lands a right to the body, looping left as well. Dillashaw throwing the right high kick a lot early. Both guys missing a lot early, trying to get a feel for distance and rhythm. Cruz lands a right and avoids a combination from Dillashaw. Cruz dodges a high kick and takes Dillashaw down. Dillashaw back up quickly and misses some punches. Dillashaw lands a bit of a left but Cruz is making him miss a lot early. Dillashaw tries a takedown, stuffed by Cruz. Cruz lands a right, Dillashaw is struggling to find the target. Rights traded. Cruz lands a left hook. Dillashaw lands a right of his own. Cruz lands a right, Dillashaw lands a body kick. Cruz lands a quick combination. Cruz lands a leg kick. Dillashaw lands a left to the body and a leg kick. Cruz catches a kick and tries a takedown but Dillashaw back up. Cruz lands a right. Dillashaw tries a double leg, stuffed by Cruz and the end the round in the clinch.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cruz

ROUND TWO: Cruz misses a jab early, Dillashaw trying to back him into the fence and Cruz is circling beautifully. Curz dodges a couple of punches and lands a right. Cruz lands another right. Dillashaw can’t find the target with his punches. Cruz lands a couple of rights to the body. Cruz lands a jab then avoids a combination. Dillashaw slips trying a high kick. Cruz lands a stiff jab. Dillashaw lands a glancing right. Dillashaw lands a leg kick. Another leg kick from Dillashaw lands. Cruz lands a long right hand. Cruz lands a hard left, Dillashaw can’t figure out the movement. Dillashaw rushes forward and lands a bit of a high kick then they trade punches. Cruz lands a right then left. Cruz gets a double leg and lands a couple of punches before Dillashaw gets up. Cruz takes him down again and lands a right before Dillashaw scrambles back up. Cruz dodges a couple of high kicks. Cruz lands a body kick. Dillashaw just seems stunned by the movement a little as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cruz, 20-18 Cruz overall

ROUND THREE: Cruz moving well still, Dillashaw misses a combination and Cruz slips off the fence. Cruz lands a couple of punches as Dillashaw tries to move forward. Dillashaw lands a left. Dillashaw lands a couple of leg kicks. Cruz lands a body kick, Dillashaw lands one of his own. Dillashaw a lot more flat footed here. Cruz lands a right and left. Cruz lands a left. Dillashaw lands a bit of a left, Cruz lands a right hook. Rights traded. Dillashaw trying to bait Cruz in now, he’s having a little more success with that. Cruz backs Dillashaw into the fence but misses a couple of punches and backs off. Dillashaw lands a hard leg kick. Cruz gets a takedown and lands some punches from the guard then passes to side control, Dillashaw scrambles and they regain their feet. Dillashaw might be tiring, he’s winding up on his punches a lot now. Cruz lands a counter right, Dillashaw lands a kick to the chest. Cruz lands a right. Cruz lands a body kick then a left. Hard combination from Cruz all lands. Dillashaw just can’t find the target, Cruz clips Dillashaw with a right as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cruz, 30-27 Cruz overall

ROUND FOUR: Dillashaw lands a body kick early. Cruz still moving well, he’s baiting Dillashaw into missing. Cruz lands a couple of jab. Cruz just misses an uppercut, Dillashaw lands a leg kick. Cruz lands a left hand. Cruz lands another left in combination then avoids a return from Dillashaw. Dillashaw lands a leg kick, Cruz shoots a double leg and takes Dillashaw down. Dillashaw back up and they separate. Cruz lands a body kick. Cruz lands a right then a left. Cruz lands a counter left, Dillashaw lands a left of his own. Cruz lands a jab. Cruz ducking and countering nicely. Dillashaw pushes into the clinch then gets a takedown, Cruz quickly to his knees and back up. Dillashaw holding the clinch, throwing knees to the leg and body. Cruz spins into Dillashaw, lands a knee to the body then spins out of the clinch. Cruz lands a counter right, Dillashaw is bleeding around the right eye. Cruz lands a combination then Dillashaw stuffs a takedown. Dillashaw lands a right, Cruz returns it as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dillashaw, but the closest round of the fight, 39-37 Cruz overall

ROUND FIVE: Cruz moving again, Dillashaw lands a glancing leg kick. Cruz lands a counter right then a right to the body. Dillashaw lands a body kick. Dillashaw lands a solid right hand then a high kick but Cruz doesn’t care and lands four punches. Cruz lands another left. Cruz lands a left then another one. Dillashaw lands another body kick. Cruz eats a body kick and lands a couple of punches. Cruz lands a spinning back fist. Dillashaw lands a leg kick. Both men miss hooks. Dillashaw lands another leg kick. Cruz lands a left hand. Rogan’s bias on commentary for Dillashaw is getting a tad annoying. They trade against the fence, Cruz still moving well. Cruz lands a left then a follow up. Dillashaw lands another leg kick. Cruz lands a hard right hand. Cruz tries a double leg, stuffed by Dillashaw. Cruz lands a right hand. Cruz lands a left and a right, then they trade as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cruz, 49-46 Cruz overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Dominick Cruz via split decision (48-47, 46-49, 49-46)

Who gave Dillashaw four rounds?! Cruz on the mic now, says he’s sharing this with all the fans. He says the only thing surprising was what he had to show himself, he talks about all the guys he’s beaten and how they’ve built him into the fighter he is. He reiterates that there’s no such thing as ring rust if you train hard and are mentally strong. He puts over his coaches and training partners as the reason he’s here, then thanks God for the strength to get through this. Rogan asks about the leg kicks, he says he wont talk about what he might have come in with but says those issues with his right foot started getting bad in the fifth as opposed to the leg kicks, jokes that his foot is torn in half. Cruz thanks his friends on the analyst desk Brian Stann in particular then jokes to Kenny Florian about copying and pasting.

Time with Dillashaw now, who thinks he did more damage and pushed the pace, he still thinks he won. Dillashaw says that while he’s not a fan of Cruz he puts him over for what he did. He says that he didn’t follow up properly and says again he feels he won.

OK seriously, what inspired a 49-46 for Dillashaw?

Oh, well that makes more sense.

Alright that wraps up UFC Fight Night 81. Thank you all for being here, I’ll be back on the 30th for UFC on FOX when Anthony Johnson takes on Ryan Bader in the main event. Until next time keep checking 411mania for all your pop culture needs.